Solar Panel Cost Guide in Clinton, MI (2024 Update)

  • Clinton Solar Installation Cost: $17,270
  • 25-Year Savings: $13,167
  • Payback Period: 17.2 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Clinton

We go over average solar pricing in Clinton.

The average cost of a solar system in Clinton is 4 per watt.Using this figure, a typical 6.1-kW system would cost about $17,270 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of Clinton homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $16,000 over 20 years on utility bills.

You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Clinton for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in Clinton

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-15,878
3 years$-13,093
5 years$-10,308
7 years$-7,524
9 years$-4,739
11 years$-1,954
13 years$830
15 years$3,615
17 years$6,400
19 years$9,185
21 years$11,969
23 years$14,754
25 years$17,539

Top Solar Installers in Clinton

Although you can install solar panels on your own, it requires extra time and know-how. Because of that, almost all homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. A solar company can also help save you money over time by offering warranties, repairs and component replacements.

If you're on the hunt for a solar installer in Clinton, we've put together a list of our top suggestions here:

Solar Veteran

Michigan Solar Solutions

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • No leases or PPAs

Outstanding Local Installer

Strawberry Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Educational, no-pressure sales approach
  • Limited warranty coverage
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Limited brands of solar equipment available

Outstanding Local Installer

The Green Panel

★★★★★
4.5
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Excellent reputation
  • Great warranty coverage
  • No leases or PPAs

See all of the solar companies in Clinton

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Clinton

For many Clinton homeowners, the decision to adopt solar energy comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Clinton, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are several factors that greatly influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.

Solar Equipment

One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay about $4,060 per kilowatt in Clinton.The kind of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, higher efficiency could save you more over time on your energy bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Clinton average.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Clinton to be prohibitively expensive, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also result in a higher cost over time because of interest.It’s wise to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you choose to install your solar panels can influence how much you pay. Clinton’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company’s size can sometimes play the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because of more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$4.22$17,734$7,06917.9 years
8 kW$4.14$23,191$9,88017.5 years
10 kW$4.06$28,420$12,91817.2 years
12 kW$3.98$33,422$16,18416.8 years
14 kW$3.90$38,196$19,67716.5 years
16 kW$3.82$42,744$23,39716.2 years
18 kW$3.74$47,064$27,34515.8 years
20 kW$3.65$51,156$31,52015.5 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Installation Process: When making the switch to solar, it’s essential to keep an open line of communication with your solar panel installer. See to it that you understand how the installation process will go and the project completion timeline.
  • Warranty: Many companies offer different kinds of warranties that cover different things. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies carry the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you opt for.
  • Reputation: Make sure your solar company has a good reputation by verifying it has certifications and licenses, checking how long it's been in business and reading reviews by previous customers and solar experts like the EcoWatch team.

Solar Veteran

Michigan Solar Solutions

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • No leases or PPAs

Outstanding Local Installer

Strawberry Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Educational, no-pressure sales approach
  • Limited warranty coverage
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Limited brands of solar equipment available

Outstanding Local Installer

The Green Panel

★★★★★
4.5
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Excellent reputation
  • Great warranty coverage
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's Clinton, MI Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Clinton?

This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $20,300 for a 5-kW system and $40,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Are solar panels free in Clinton?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Clinton. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

Do solar panels increase your property value?

Installing solar panels on your home can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Clinton is currently $253,980, which means you could be looking at a value of about $10,413 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Clinton is a worthwhile investment.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.

Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.

Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.